From Supreme Court justice and spies to magicians and astronauts, these inspiring women have left an indelible mark on history.

The Mysterious Virginia Hall: World War II’s Most Dangerous Spy by Claudia Friddell. Astra/Calkins Creek. ISBN 9781662680595.
Gr 7 Up–This inspiring tale of courage, intelligence, and determination introduces Virginia Hall, one of history’s most remarkable, but relatively unknown, heroes. From her adventurous childhood in Maryland to her secretive and courageous work in Nazi-occupied France, Hall’s journey is one of resilience and resolve. She overcame many challenges and became one of the first female agents recruited by the British Special Operations Executive and later worked for Allied intelligence, where she risked her life organizing resistance fighters and gathering crucial information. Despite being a private person who never sought fame, her work organizing resistance fighters and executing daring missions was crucial to the war effort. The book explores significant historical events, including the Great Depression’s effect on Hall’s family and the difficulties women faced entering the diplomatic corps. What makes Hall’s story so fascinating is her ability to defy expectations. After an accident cost her a leg, she refused to let it slow her down, even humorously giving her wooden prosthetic a name, Cuthbert. Her story not only highlights the dangers of espionage but also relates the challenges women faced in the early 20th century. The free verse format makes the biography visually accessible and appealing, especially for struggling readers. Well-placed historical photographs and primary source documents provide additional insight, while the back matter includes valuable resources, such as a bibliography and a list of Hall’s honors. VERDICT This biography is a good addition to a secondary school’s biography collection. Readers who enjoy stories of bravery, espionage, and strong female figures will find Hall’s story both thrilling and inspiring.

Coming Home: (Adapted for Young Adults) by Brittney Griner & Michelle Burford. Random/Bright Matter. ISBN 9798217027033. 
Gr 9 Up–Brittney Griner is a basketball superstar who made international headlines for being arrested and detained in Russia for bringing a small amount of medical cannabis oil into the country. Used as a pawn in Russia and Putin’s war on Ukraine, Griner was detained for 10 months before being released in a prisoner exchange with a Russian arms dealer. In the new young adult adaptation of Griner’s memoir, she vividly shares her journey through the Russian legal system and her fight to return home. VERDICT Fans of basketball and Griner will enjoy this memoir; the themes of racism, body image, and LGBTQIA+ rights will appeal to a larger audience.

Lovely One (Adapted for Young Adults) by Ketanji Brown Jackson. Random/Bright Matter. ISBN 9798217117772.
Gr 8 Up–America’s first Black woman Supreme Court Justice, Ketanji Brown Jackson, was appointed by President Joe Biden in 2022. Justice Jackson writes a relatable and poignant story of the American dream, and a deeply personal memoir of never giving in to doubt or imposter syndrome. Jackson cultivates and models perseverance and the importance of working hard, gleaned while listening to her mother speak about not being devoured by the unfairness in life. Jackson is acutely aware of how her very presence negates what the Founding Fathers envisioned for the republic, yet she is conscious of standing on the shoulders of giants to pave the way for other successful women of color. This memoir is about a professional woman adapting her own family experiences to work tirelessly to help decide what is fair. VERDICT An essential memoir for all school libraries about an influential individual impacting our country who used their experiences to show how the law can provide solutions that change people’s lives and bring about monumental change.

The Six Young Readers Edition: The Untold Story of America’s First Women Astronauts by Loren Grush with Rebecca Stefoff. S. & S. ISBN 9781534497047.
Gr 6 Up–This compelling narrative explores the journeys of six remarkable women astronauts: Sally Ride, Judy Resnik, Rhea Seddon, Kathy Sullivan, Shannon Lucid, and Anna Fisher. Set against the backdrop of the 1960s and 1970s, the book delves deeply into the challenges these pioneers faced, both as women in STEM and as individuals navigating societal barriers of the time. What sets this work apart is its ability to weave personal struggles with broader social themes. The narrative masterfully ties these stories to cultural touchstones like Star Trek actress Nichelle Nichols, offering readers relatable entry points into complex topics. This connection bridges the gap between history and modern readers, underscoring the resilience of these trailblazing women. VERDICT Richly detailed and deeply human, this title serves as both an inspiring tribute to its subjects and a thought-provoking examination of the ongoing journey toward gender equity in STEM.

Vanished: Seven Women Magicians Who Simply Disappeared by Anna Hays. illus. by Mary Kate McDevitt. Random/Bright Matter. ISBN 9780593712559.
Gr 4-7–This collected biography highlights the lives of seven little-known women who practiced magic, then disappeared from history. The title may lead some kids to believe the women literally vanished, but the stories are still engaging and will delight young readers. The women profiled include a medium, an escape artist, and a woman with superhuman strength. All the subjects profiled were born in either the United States or Europe. Within the biographical description for each figure, there is a dedicated section highlighting specific tricks she performed. Though detailed descriptions of the setup and procedure are provided for each act, the magicians’ secrecy is preserved (a magician never reveals her tricks, after all). Photos of the performers, playbills, and newspaper clippings are peppered throughout each chapter with a larger collection of these items at the end of each chapter. The descriptions of the women are detailed but never bog down readers with shorter attention spans. The content and amount of information is age appropriate. This book will delight young magicians or any readers interested in mysterious history. VERDICT This engaging collected biography would be a wonderful addition to any library. The eye-catching cover and title may encourage reluctant readers of nonfiction to explore these mystifying women of magical history.

Loudmouth: Emma Goldman vs. America (A Love Story) by Deborah Heiligman. Farrar. ISBN 9781250823076.
Gr 9 Up–Heiligman delivers an engrossing biography of famed anarchist Emma Goldman. Born in Russia in 1869 to a poor Jewish family with an abusive father, she immigrated to the United States at 16, held a job at a sewing factory in Rochester, NY, for $2.50 a week, and quit when she wasn’t given a raise. In New York City, she found her calling in life, advocating for anarchism and fighting the oppression of the working class. Authorities were constantly trying to squelch her freedom of speech, proclaiming her the most dangerous woman in America yet Goldman became quite famous. She spent her life passionately and tirelessly fighting for the rights of the impoverished, giving her fiery speeches to crowds of thousands, publishing several books along with countless articles and pamphlets. Heiligman focuses on Goldman’s passion for her causes and time line of her life but also includes the more controversial aspects. Goldman’s lover, fellow anarchist Alexander Berkman was a proponent of propaganda of the deed—the use of action to instigate change, usually violent action. Black-and-white photos, extensive notes, and bibliography are included (index not seen). The work lacks a more detailed discussion of the tenets of anarchism and the lives of industrial workers and magnates to give young readers a more comprehensive understanding of the intersection of the movement and society in this turbulent period. VERDICT Heiligman’s depth of research and absorbing, crisp writing makes for a page-turner about a fierce, complex, and influential dissident. Recommended for all libraries.

Books Good Enough for You: The Storied Life of Ursula Nordstrom, Editor of Extraordinary Children’s Books by Nancy Hudgins. Abrams. ISBN 9781419775673.
Gr 5-9–A fascinating biography about one of the most influential editors of children’s publishing. Ursula Nordstrom (1910–1988) was the publisher and editor-in-chief of juvenile books at Harper & Row from 1940 to 1973, where she edited children’s literature icons Ruth Krauss, E.B. White, and John Steptoe. Nordstrom first started as a secretary at the textbook department at Harper & Row, one of the longest-running publishers. She eventually headed their children’s books division where she emphasized the importance of publishing relevant books that resonated with the intended audience, rather than just morality tales. Hudgins’s biography goes on to explore the legend’s life and relationships with Maurice Sendak, Shel Silverstein, Margaret Wise Brown, and more. The ongoing thread about producing “good books for bad children” and her adversarial relationship with New York Public Library’s head of children’s services Anne Carroll Moore will intrigue readers, book lovers, and aspiring authors and editors. The narrative is accessible and often feels insider-y, but in a way that kids will appreciate. The book also sheds light on Nordstrom’s queerness and how she advocated for John Donovan to write one of the first books to feature a same-sex relationship. Chapter headers are based on the books she edited, and charming illustrations open each chapter. Additional drawings are placed sporadically throughout, along with sidebars on related content, such as writing tips from Ursula and a list of different children’s book awards. These break up the narrative while giving more context to Nordstrom’s world. Back matter includes copious source notes and a selected bibliography. VERDICT Aspiring writers and editors will gobble this up; a strong purchase for middle grade biography shelves.

At Last She Stood: How Joey Guerrero Spied, Survived, and Fought for Freedom by Erin Entrada Kelly. Greenwillow. ISBN 9780063218901.
Gr 4-8–Kelly’s biography reveals the extraordinary life of Josefina “Joey” Guerrero. Despite considering herself ordinary, Guerrero was anything but. At 22, she contracted Hansen’s disease (leprosy) yet remained steadfast in her Catholic faith and unwavering in her commitment to serve. Short in stature but mighty in courage, Guerrero’s friendly nature and bilingual abilities in Tagalog and English made her an ideal operative for the U.S. and Philippine resistance forces during WWII. She transported classified information through enemy lines while aiding wounded soldiers, earning the Medal of Freedom from President Truman. Post-war, misconceptions about her illness forced Guerrero into hiding and then to the prisonlike Tala Leprosarium near Manila, which she helped transform into a sanctuary. Later, she moved to Carville, the only U.S. facility for Hansen’s disease patients, where treatment lasted 10 years instead of the expected two. Despite receiving American citizenship, persistent discrimination compelled Guerrero to adopt a new identity and conceal her history. VERDICT This compelling biography belongs in every library, enhancing instruction and research on women’s history, WWII, the Philippines, and Hansen’s disease.

Hick: The Trailblazing Journalist Who Captured Eleanor Roosevelt’s Heart by Sarah Miller. Random House ¬Studio. ISBN 9780593649091.
Gr 9 Up–Few biographies achieve the balance of rigorous research and emotional resonance as well as this recounting of the extraordinary life journey of Lorena “Hick” Hickok. Miller’s writing is exceptional, seamlessly integrating primary sources, including Hick’s often-daily correspondence with Eleanor Roosevelt, in a compelling narrative flow. Her journalistic instincts and unwavering dedication to the truth made a tangible impact on governmental policymakers and the nation’s understanding of economic hardships. Readers will feel as if they truly know Hick and her passion for storytelling, love of animals, delight in her cars, and, most notably, her deep affection for Eleanor Roosevelt. VERDICT This immersive, engaging, and deeply emotional portrait of an unconventional woman is a must-read for enthusiasts of women’s history, journalism, and LGBTQIA+ biographies.

The Dream and the Hope: The Historic Rise of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Nation’s Highest Court by Garen Thomas & Lori Rozsa. HarperCollins. ISBN 9780063311442. 
Gr 4-7–Ketanji Brown Jackson’s rise from childhood to her appointment as the first Black woman on the Supreme Court serves as both an inspiring personal story and a reflection of Black history in America. Encouraged by parents who valued education, Jackson developed the drive and discipline that carried her from the high school debate team to Harvard and later helped her navigate the demanding roles of lawyer and mother of two. Through personal stories and quotes from those who knew her, Jackson’s spirit, intellect, and fairness shine throughout this book. Each chapter traces her life and achievements while weaving in pivotal moments from Black history. At times, these connections follow a meandering path—for instance, a Confederate flag displayed on a college dormitory wall leads to discussions of the Civil War, Reconstruction, the Ku Klux Klan, and the Voting Rights Act. However, by linking Jackson’s experiences to the broader struggles and progress of African Americans, the authors place her historic appointment in powerful context. Back matter includes an index, endnotes, and bibliography. VERDICT More than a biography, this work situates Ketanji Brown Jackson’s success within the larger narrative of American Black history, offering both inspiration and insight.
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